Fixing device, image forming apparatus, and fixing method

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image bearer to bear a toner image;
• and
• a fixing device, disposed downstream from the image bearer in a recording medium conveyance direction, to fix the toner image on a recording medium,
• the fixing device including:
• a fixing rotator rotatable in a given direction of rotation;
• a pressure rotator pressed against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which the recording medium bearing the toner image is conveyed;
• an oil applicator impregnated with oil to be applied to at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator;
• a first mover connected to the oil applicator to separably bring the oil applicator into contact with the at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator;
• a surface polisher to refresh an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator;
• a second mover connected to the surface polisher to separably bring the surface polisher into contact with the fixing rotator;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the first mover and the second mover to control the first mover to bring the oil applicator into contact with the at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator according to a contact condition under which the surface polisher contacts the fixing rotator.